“I graduated from the University of Illinois in 2009 with a degree in finance and a minor in English. During my time at Illinois, I was an active member of Lambda Chi Alpha, and led our chapter as High Alpha. Following my graduation, I worked for two years as a consultant with the global firm Aon Hewitt in Denver where I earned a CEO Ovation Award for my efforts and a promotion. However, in January 2011 I felt that I needed to make a change, and to transition to a career path more aligned to my values of love and service. I applied and was accepted into Teach For America, and flew to New York, a city I had never visited before, to teach 8th grade special education at Hyde Leadership Charter School in the South Bronx. I taught at Hyde-Bronx for three years and empowered students by strengthening their literacy and critical thinking skills. On average, students grew two years in reading in my classroom. In the summer of 2014, I remained with Hyde-Bronx, and was promoted to become the school’s director of development and communications, a role I hold today. In my role as director of development and communications, I help the school raise approximately $500,000 each year to support our programs serving students and families in Hunts Point; the highest-risk community for children in New York City, which is located in the poorest congressional district in the country. I have the privilege of collaborating with our executive director, Board of Trustees, and local political, business and non-profit leaders to ensure that our students have the resources they deserve to succeed. Over 90 percent of Hyde-Bronx students graduate on time each year in a school district where only 47 percent do the same, and 89 percent of Hyde-Bronx students with disabilities graduate on time, more than triple the local rate. Finally, I recently received certificates of merit from the New York State Senate and New York City Council for my service to students and families in the south Bronx. I am proud of our school community in Hunts Point and my role in it; I aspire to continue to use my gifts and talents to transform the world; and I want to extend my gratitude to Lambda Chi Alpha for developing my character and leadership skills that have shaped the man I am today. Thank you for considering me for this honor.”
How, if at all, has your Lambda Chi Alpha experience attributed to success in your field or in other accomplishments?
Jack Vuylsteke and I were brothers in Lambda Chi Alpha at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was the first person I knew to join Teach For America, and after two years working in business consulting, I garnered the courage to follow a similar path in New York City. Jack was definitely one of a handful of catalysts that guided me to where I am today.
In addition, my experience in Lambda Chi Alpha reinforced some of my core values like leadership, love, service, and the idea that I have unique gifts and talents to offer the world. These values and my faith have driven me to take an incredibly challenging path, which I’ve found infinitely more meaningful and rewarding than my prior career, but which is still very much in the making. It’s an honor to be considered for this recognition, but I don’t feel all that accomplished because we have so much more to do. Racism, sexism, homophobia, poverty, criminal injustice, the achievement gap, and hate are alive and well in America, and will be until values-based leaders of all identities unite to transform the world through love, community, and social action. My experiences as president of Lambda Chi Alpha (Chi Zeta), as an active member of the Church of the Village in Manhattan, and as director of development and communications at Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx have taught me that small groups of thoughtful, committed citizens can absolutely change the world.
What do you hope to accomplish in your next 30 years, professionally, personally or fraternally?
A friend once told me I am, “A man of great expectations.” I always liked that. In alignment with this remark, I have a few vague, potentially ridiculous ideas for what I want to achieve, and a few more specific plans that are already unfolding. I know that I want dedicate my life to my family. I’m excited that this summer I am getting married to a beautiful woman I met through Teach For America, and I look forward to building a life with her. I also know that I want to always have a career of purpose, in which I spend my working hours doing something meaningful that improves the lives of others and the world. Finally, I want to be a leader in society, either strengthening the operations of non-profit organizations, or potentially running for an elected position. I dream of becoming a member of Congress, a senator, or president of the United States. This is sort of like saying, “I want to be quarterback for the Chicago Bears,” but I suspect it’s harder to achieve something if you’re too afraid to even say it out loud. Regardless of where exactly I end up, I am excited for the journey ahead.
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